Do you struggle with allergies??

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2001
Do you struggle with allergies??
3
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 10:10am
Does anyone else around here struggle with allergies this time of year?

Right now, I'm really struggling with allergies. I didn't have these when I was younger. We moved to the farm and I helped with the crops and harvesting for many years. In the last five or six years, the grass when I mow, the grain dust and all of those 'outside' pollens or whatever is out there have really bothered me. I have taken allergy medication for several years. Lately even that hasn't helped me enough. I wake up in the mornings with swollen eyes and a headache frequently. I even take my allergy medication plus Benadryl when I mow and I wear a mask when I am mowing or working around the grain dust. It still isn't enough. This summer I've noticed that even driving in the convertible with the top down makes me a bit miserable. DH has wanted me to go see an allergist for quite some time but I've resisted. I keep telling him that I'm doing okay and it's not worth the cost. (We are self employed so are on no group health insurance and the premium is terrifically high plus the deductible is terrifically high so I try to avoid all unnecessary health costs). And I'm sure it will be quite an expensive thing to be tested, etc. But I have been miserable enough this summer to decide that I really should do this. So, in the next week or so, I'll call and see if I can get an appointment sometime soon, too. I'm not sure if I need a referral or if I can call and get one myself. My 'regular physician' is overseas in Iraq so I am kind of at a loss when it comes to who to see. There is another one in a different clinic that I feel fairly comfortable with so I'll call him and see what I need to do.

Do any of you struggle with allergies??? Any of you taking shots or medication? Is there any 'surefire' cure for this that isn't in the traditional realm? Rhonda, do you have a magnet for my nose and forehead????

Nancy

Nancy

Nancy

"Make Choices that bring you joy"  cl-Patty


 


Avatar for bootywhompus
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 10:28am
Nancy:

I also struggle with allergies every year. The last couple of years have been worse than ever for me, especially when the ragweed comes on like it has here. My eyes are the worst part for me. Dry, sticky, itchy eyes. I don't have any sure-fire cures for you. You can go to the allergist if you like and find out if shots will help you. I've never taken them. The ragweed season is long, but not long enough for me to do that. I get allergies in the spring as well during the tree pollen season but they don't bother me too much. Anti-histamines take care of it well enough. My husband likes to tease me that I'm allergic to myself because I have so many allergies. It's pretty easy to sensitize yourself to something you were never allergic to before and develop a new allergy. Apparently I'm pretty good at that.

There has been a recent Rx to OTC switch for Claritin. I don't know if you've tried that or not, but I've known people who have and it has helped them. It's an option although it's kind of expensive right now.

Hope this helps. Get some extra strong Puffs for that nose.

Lori

Lori

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 11:55am
So sorry to hear about your allegies problems, but I'm glad you asked about the magnets. I was thinking about sharing information with you, but most people don't have much faith in alternative remedies, even when the traditonal ones don't work. I was one of them.

I currently have a holistic dr. trying out a magnet over his chest for breathing problems he developed from being exposed to mold over a period of time in his old office suite. His capacity is down to only 52%! It will be interesting to hear his experience when I get back with him. At the last monthly meeting I went to two women told about how someone advised them to put a magnet over their abdominal area to help their sinuses!!! Sounded weird to me, but they said it really helped. I guess it must have something to do with accupressure points or meridians of energy or something. I don't know, but I do want to research it more, so that I do understand.

I am printing out some testimonials and will try to scan and email them to you. The disc it's on won't allow me to just copy and forward it.

In the meantime, hope you can get some relief. I get various allergies throughout the year, which result in burning, watery eyes and a scratchy throat, plus headaches. Usually, Maximum Strength, Non-drowsy, Allergy/Sinus Sinutab helps me.

Hugs,

Rhonda

       ~~Rhonda~~


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Sun, 08-24-2003 - 6:45pm
Nancy, I can so relate the insurance issue.Our premiums and deductables are out of this world!!I used to have terible hayfever but for some reason this year it was not much of a problem.I have woken up a few mornings with a sore throat and it's always right after a neighbor cuts his hay.When my migraines first started Drs were sure it was allergies so for a year or so I gave myself shots.I've also used Clariten, which was great because it didn't make me sleepy like Benadryl.Good luck with your appointment.Let us know what you find out.

Miss P